Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-25
SHERMAN IN fENNEsSeF
Inc ohio statesman DELIVERIES an Ad.
dress Before the Republican Members
of the Legislature by Invitation-much
Enthusiasm Manifested.
NASHVILLE. Tenn. March 81

SAID:
accepted the invitation of the republican
members Of the legislature OF Tennessee IN
address them on this occasion, not so mnch
with the hope that l could encourage them
oy 'he expression of the hearty sympi ithy of
the republicans Of the United States in their
gallant struggle for republican principles As
from the belief entertain that the fair pre.
senta'lon made to the people of Tennessee
without distinction of party. of the aims and
principles OF our party, both in the past and
ioi the iuture, might induce them to j1n
with us in public policy that will Contribute
10 the interests of the people Of Tennessee
anu OF the whole country, mere and greater
bene fits and advantages than csn po,,iblv he
conferred upon them by the democratic
parry. have felt the differences that grew
out Of the war now hold large body of hon.
est and patriotic citizens of the South from
cooperating with the republican party, who.
IN my Judgment. are now in sympathy with
u.s. that perhsp, might be able to dissipate
these pr JUDGES by frank statement of the
views which tave aclua,ed the republican
party IN part, and thus bring us into coopera.
'lon IN measures tend.n TO advance the COM
mon interests and prosperity of our country.
State rights, as distinguished from national
authority has been the disturbing element Of
American politics. III understood the prin-
clples Of the republican party, | would say
they are embraced in trinity of union con.
stitution ard country preservation of the
Union, the maintenance Of the full powers of
the institution, and the growth, prosperity
and grandeur of our country in all its parts
as 1t is now or is TO be. These ideas we in-
herit from the wisest statesmen in American
history, and now since they have been reaf-
firmed by the war there is nothing to divide
American citizens by sectional lines but pre-
Judice and passion.
Senator Sherman then spoke of the part
slavery played in the bringing of the war and
the stand Tennessee took during the war.
Continuing, he said:
"Thnk not that come here to reproach
any man for the part he took in that fight or
to revive in the heart of any one the triumph
OF victory or the plngs Of defeat / do not
come to make apologies, nor do ask any of
you. The war was perhaps unavoidable,
bound to come some time and the sooner
ended the better. All claim is that the re-
publican party was actuated not by the spirit
Of hate or conques, or revenge but only by
the fervent love of the Union and the de-
termined purpose to maintain the c" institution
as they understood 1t. No man in the North
questions the honesty OF purpose or heroism
with which the Confedera.es maintained their
cause and you will give credit for like cour
age and honorable motives to the Union
soldiers North and South. When the war
was over the people OF the North heartily ap-
proved the generous terms granted by Gen.
Grant to Gen. Lee and the Confederate troops
and wished that the people of the South
should be restored to all rights and privileges.
subject only to such conditions as honor and
good faith seemed 10 demand arising out Of
the proclamation OF President Lincoln for the
emancipation of the slaves Both sides felt
that the abolition OF slavery was the nt cessary
result OF war and 1t seemed to US IT the slaves
were to he free they must be aimed with the
privileges of free men and these were secured
to them by the constitutional amendments
An attempt to force these rights by the ma
tional authorities has thus far practically
failed and now 1t Is conceded that under the
limitations of the constitution the rights of \
citizen of n State can only be forced through
State or National tribunal. and where public
opinion Ia intolerant and jurors will not do
their duty as citizens either white or black
may be without remedy for the grOssest
wrong, except the right to migrate to
where his rights will be respected
Our institutions are based upon the idea that
such denial OF rights IS impossible. and
trust that the time Is not TAR distant when the
people of everv State will feel it 10 be both
just and expedient that every citizen of the
State shall be protected in the free and equal
enjoyment of every right and privilege con-
ferred by the constitution of the United
States. The republican party is pledged to
this policy and although it will use no uncon
stitutional means to secure these riahts il
would be false TO its principles II it doesn't
use ali its moral and legal power to that end
No wrong can be done to the humblest ciizen
and no right withheld without reacting upon
the community at large. l was glad to hear
in passing through several Southern States,
conservative persons say public sentiment
now revolts at unlawful methods to defeat the
free exercise OF the equal rights OF cit ms
that have been adopted in the several States
and are still practised IN what are known
as the black counties OF the South.
As long as such methods are resorted to there
will be keen sense OF wrong and injustice to
the injured parties and those who practice
such offenses will in the end suffer for it
The sectional feeling will continue TO exist as
long as the large masses OF people. whether
poor or rich, white or black, are denied the
rights TO share in sell government. 1t sets a
bad example, which criminal classes In the
North have in some caees eagerly adopted, to
cheat at elections. as in Cincinnati two years
ago. II also produces the inequality of rep
resentation between the North ana the SCUM
and this keeps up sectional lines in party pol
itics. II opens q way to corruption and
fraud which in time destroys all pretence of
republican government. The freedman in
the full enjoyment OF his riehts VIII divide